The Forgotten Zodiac

((Let's combine bonding/shopping and dance practice. They can come back from shopping and then do the dancing.))

((Okay, sounds good to me. It's your turn to zone in, since I left off in the last scene.))

((Since you hate Vi, I'll assume Morgan and Alexander will be accompanying the ladies.))

Early the next afternoon, Alexander left off what he had been doing and made his way to Isabella's room. The plan as had been made that morning was that he, Morgan, and Isabella would accompany Virellis and Dagan shopping that afternoon. He'd sent Morgan over earlier, to let Isabella know to get ready, and left his safety to the castle guards. Moria wasn't a problem any more, so he didn't see the point of travelling around with an entourage. "Morgan, Isabella? You two ready? It's almost time to meet up with Vi," he called as he reached the room.

((I don't hate her. I've just lost interest in her. I've decided to kill off Clarissa instead. I think her name was supposed to be Cassandra, anyway. I've lost track. With Vi, at least I can throw in some fun Siren stuff to make her seem more Gypsy-like, which is what I intended from the getgo.

Also, Moria is still on the loose, and will undoubtedly be showing up at the ball.))

"Is it? So soon." Morgan chuckled, opening the door. "Come along, Isabella. Do you have your pruse ready?" He had supplied her with a small bag with a few things in it. First, a tracker badge disguised as a small mirror. Morgan would know at all times where she was, guided by a silver compass. Alexander had something quite similar, though his appeared to be a pen and lacked a special feature Isabella's had; she simply had to whisper a command to the little mirror, and it would send an alert signal to Morgan's compass.

Second, a small purse with a bit of change. Spending money. Lastly, there was a small identification tag. She was Nobility, after all; if she got into trouble or something happened and she needed help, she could take the tag to any policemen or guard in the city, and they would have no choice but to help her. And, of course, there were Isabella's things. A toy or two, a book, the bag was spacious.

"Of course, I do, Morgan." Isabella scowled the way she always did when she felt she was being treated like a child. "It's right here." However, after grabbing the bag off of its hook and holding it up for Morgan to see, she smiled and clutched at his arm. "Where're we going today?" She asked again, as she had been every fifteen minutes since she found out she was going somewhere.

"To the market road." Morgan replied, smiling. He wasn't about to give away their destination; he rather enjoyed seeing the looks of excitement Isabella got when she was surprised with these things. "To get some things. And maybe some stuff. Yup," He stretched as he walked towards the door. "Stuff and things."

"Stuff and things. Stuffed things?" Isabella stepped closer to Morgan so that when his arms relaxed, one rested briefly on her shoulder. After just a second, she skipped away to fasten Morgan, Jr.,'s leas. "This little dog went to market. Some little doggy stayed home. This little doggy ate all his food. Some little doggies have none. And this little piggy went barkbarkbarkbark all the way home." She laughed and straightened up, shushing the dog's excited yips. "Okay, time to go! We go out the door, and then left, and then right, and then stairs, and then straight and then outside. C'mon, Morgan!"

"No, not stuffed toys. Nice try though." Morgan kept up rather effortlessly, the dog trotting happily behind them.

Nobleman Jorash passed by before they made it to the door. "Oh! What have we here, Alexander? You know how Lord Logan dislikes pets...I'm sure he'd make an exception for you, but you don't seem to be the owner." He raised a brow at Isabella, though he was smiling. "Who might this be?"

Morgan couldn't hide his small frown. He had never particularly liked Jorash, although the plump geezer seemed to be friendly enough. His rosy cheeks and white stubble reminded him faintly of the iconic winter patriarch, Santa Claus. Morgan had never particularly liked the idea of someone breaking into his house and leaving behind stuff. Even if it was nice stuff.

"What about him?" Isabella demanded, before Jorash arrived. When he did, she looked down at her feet and quivered. "He's a good dog. Morgan, Jr.,'s a good boy. He can say here, Morgan promised."
"It'll be fine, Isabella. Morgan, Jr., can stay." Alexander smiled just slightly, trying to be reassuring to the frightened girl. "If anyone complains, you can send them to me."

"Oh, I'd do more than just send them to you. I'd give them a mouthful of my own!" Jorash chuckled, his hearty laugh ringing along the halls. "A pretty little girl needs a trusty companion at her side. And you named him after Morgan! How...strangely fitting."

"Pardon?" Morgan raised a brow.

"Oh? Oh, yes, you might not have heard. There's quite a few rumors going around about you. The Protestants are calling you quite interesting names. Morgan, the Black Hand, the Loyal Dog of House Finnigan! They say you can--"

"I ask that you watch your words, Jorash. If you have no business with Alexander, we'd much like to get to our own destination."

"Oh, very well. My apologies," Jorash glanced at Isabella, then sighed. "Alright then, I'll be off. And, miss Isabella, if you ever need a fine cup of tea, just come and talk to me, yes?"

((What are your plans for Jorash? Because, Isabella wasn't introduced, but he just used her name. DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN.))

"I'll see you tomorrow, Jorash." Alexander stepped past the fat man and led the way down the hallway. "They are calling you that, actually. The Catholic names are even more interesting, though not particularly repeatable. At least," he glanced at isabella who had perked up considerably with interest. " Not in present company."
Isabella, when she realized Alexander meant her, drifted off to wonder who Jorash was and whether he would be more informative. He seemed interesting, at least. And jolly. Jolliness was comforting.

((Alexander said her name out loud. xD))

"So I've heard." Morgan showed no signs of lightening up about the subject. "The last thing I need is publicity, yet here it is."

"I read an article about you in one of those silly gossip tabloids. Sketch and everything! They got your profile down pretty well, I'd say." Vi giggled. "At the very least, no one will bother us. Unless they've been living under a rock and haven't heard about you." They were finally out of the castle and on their way down the long, winding road to town. It probably would have been faster to take a carriage, but 'what's the fun in employing smelly horses?', Morgan had stated.

((Well, that's no fun.))

"We live under a rock!" Isabella chirped. "All of us do. We live under lots of rocks." After a brief moment during which everyone wondered what she meant, the girl turned and pointed at the castle. "Look! The whole roof is made of rocks, and we live under the roof, and so we live under lots of rocks. That's logic." She nodded firmly and turned to Morgan, expecting him to be impressed with her.
Dagan laughed slightly at Isabella's progression, but it did seem to make sense. When you thought about it that way. "Have I met your dog before?" He inquired, as usual more interested in the non-homo sapiens around him.

((He's still a fun character. Just not one to pry in other Nobles' business. We can have some interaction between him and Isabella before his execution.))

"That...isn't entirely false," Morgan mulled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Certainly an unorthodox way of thinking. The term 'living under a rock', however, means that the person in question doesn't keep up with current events." He smiled, ruffling Isabella's hair. "It is a silly saying, though, I have to say."

Morgan Jr.'s ears flicked at the word 'dog'. He looked up at Dagan, but didn't seem too interested.

((That wasn't meant to say Jorash is no fun.))

Isabella beamed; her attention bouncing between Morgan and Dagan. "Well, that's silly to not say what you mean. That's not a good choice; that's being tricky." She turned to Dagan and answered his question with a nod of your head. "Yep. You went and got him from my old house. His name's Morgan, Jr. because he keeps me safe just like Morgan." She reached down and stroked the dog's head.
Dagan nodded, surprised he'd forgotten the dog so quickly. "Right, right. I remember that. I don't normally forget things that quickly; you'll have to forgive me."

((Ah, I see. o3o))

"Jorash does tend to steal the center of attention. Even without meaning to." Morgan chuckled. "You were too busy paying attention to him to remember the name. No big deal."

"He's such a good dog," Vi smiled. "Your choice of name was a good one, I think."

Morgan Jr. looked up at them, flicking his ears again. He barked once, then ran to the end of his leash, only to run back just as quickly. Back and forth, back and forth.

"He occupies the center of gravity. The two could be related." Alexander commented, tone deliberately light to signify his joke.
Isabella nodded and beamed at her two Morgans, delighted that Vi liked her pick. "Morgan let me name him, and I named him Morgan. It's a good name; it's my favorite name."

Vi smiled. "You have a good choice in names. I like the name Morgan, too. Say," She looked around. "What's Clarissa up to today?"

"A variety of things. She and Isabella aren't quite settled in just yet; she has to let the kitchen staff know of Isabella's crawfish allergy, so the alternative meal can be brought for her if such a situation arises. She has to let a few other guards know where to direct Isabella if she's lost, and other things of that nature. She'll probably spend some time getting to know the other notbles who live in the castle, as well. It's good to know your neighbors, after all."

Alexander looked over at Isabella, interested to hear that she had any allergies at all. Somehow, despite her fragile mental state, she didn't seem like someone who would have dietary restrictions. That just showed how foolish it was to judge people only on their appearances. "We're almost there, Vi. I hope you know how to find the dress shops."

Vi grinned. "Don't insult me. I've been here before." She took the lead, guiding the way expertly through bundles of people getting to where they needed to go. The main road was as busy as ever, but Vi didn't let it bother her. She weaved this way and that, then took a right turn on Valley road. She stopped in front of a cozy looking dress boutique. "Here we are! Dolly's Dresses, the one-shop stop to everything you need for your ballgowns."

"Go on then," Morgan nodded at Isabella. "Find what you like."